The World Art Forum for Art and Development has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and sustainable creativity through a distinguished exhibition and a parallel young artists’ competition dedicated to papyrus art, hosted at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The exhibition brought together works by a select group of leading Egyptian visual artists, all executed on papyrus, highlighting the material’s unique artistic qualities and its deep historical roots in Egyptian civilization. Organized in collaboration with UNESCO, the event was held under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Social Solidarity, and Environment, underscoring strong national and international institutional support.
Bridging Heritage and Contemporary Expression
Established five years ago by acclaimed visual artist Randa Fouad, who also serves as President of the World Art Forum, the organization has positioned itself as a platform that connects the arts with sustainable development and social impact. In line with this vision, the forum organized a competition for young artists, inviting emerging talents to explore papyrus as a contemporary artistic medium.
Both the exhibition and the competition form part of the initiative “From Green Papyrus to Timeless Art,” a cultural and developmental program aimed at reviving papyrus as a living tradition rather than a purely historical symbol. The initiative also seeks to support communities engaged in the cultivation and production of papyrus, reinforcing the link between artistic innovation, heritage preservation, and inclusive economic development.
Art in Service of Sustainability
Through this initiative, the World Art Forum highlights papyrus as a powerful intersection of culture, environment, and community empowerment. By encouraging contemporary artistic practices rooted in traditional materials, the forum contributes to broader global efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage while fostering creativity among younger generations.
Building on the success of this year’s program, the World Art Forum announced plans to continue and expand the initiative next year, with a renewed focus on supporting the papyrus community and strengthening the role of art as a catalyst for sustainable development.
